COMMENTARY: As President Obama and Congress focus on immigration reform, Catholics have an opportunity to assist in fixing the current flawed system.

KIM DANIELS

In Tuesday’s State of the Union address, President Obama recognized that “our economy is stronger when we harness the talents and ingenuity of striving, hopeful immigrants” and that “right now, leaders from the business, labor, law enforcement and faith communities all agree that the time has come to pass comprehensive immigration reform.”

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio’s Republican response — given in both English and Spanish — took up immigration reform as well. After speaking movingly of his own parents’ immigrant experience, Rubio noted that economic growth depends on “a legal immigration system that allows us to attract and assimilate the world’s best and brightest” and a “responsible, permanent solution to the problem of those who are here illegally.”

Meanwhile, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., went out of his way to call President Obama’s comments on immigration reform “measured” and “productive,” noting that it was “an area [where] we have a good chance of getting something done.”

Even Sen. Rand Paul’s Tea Party response recognized that “we must be the part that sees immigrants as assets, not liabilities.”

Regardless of politics, all agree that our immigration system needs fixing. While the details have yet to be hammered out, a bipartisan Senate group has already arrived at a general reform framework, and similar bipartisan proposals are circulating in the House as well.

Catholics have serious differences with President Obama on fundamental issues like abortion, marriage and religious liberty. But we shouldn’t let those differences prevent us from coming together where we can.

We’re an immigrant Church whose bishops have long been leaders on this issue. Answering the Gospel call to welcome the stranger, Catholic social-service groups across the country have years of practical experience serving immigrants’ day-to-day needs. And it’s largely our Catholic brothers and sisters who suffer under our current flawed policy.

Catholics should stand together to bring our teachings, experience and, most of all, our faith to the national conversation on immigration reform.

Catholic themes of family, solidarity with the vulnerable and the dignity of work resonate across political lines and have particular relevance here. While economic issues and border security are important concerns, Catholics have a particular role to play in raising awareness of the moral issues at stake.

Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, the chair of the bishops’ Committee on Migration, reminds us that “millions of persons remain in the shadows, without legal protection and marginalized from society.”

Catholics can help ensure that such human suffering does not get lost in the conversation.

Of course, as Catholics, we also respect the rule of law. As Pope Benedict has said, “States have the right to regulate migration flows and to defend their own frontiers, always guaranteeing the respect due to the dignity of each and every human person. Immigrants, moreover, have the duty to integrate into the host country, respecting its laws and its national identity.” Securing our borders and streamlining the legal immigration process will help foster the conditions that allow us to be generous to those coming into the country.

As for specifics, the bishops have called for an earned path to citizenship that makes family reunification a priority; secure borders; a temporary worker program; and improved asylum laws. Respect for the rule of law is a two-way street, so they’ve also called for the government to follow basic norms of due process in the treatment of immigrants and their families.

While these proposals aren’t articles of faith, it takes little to listen in good faith to fellow Catholics who’ve been closely involved with immigration issues for years. As we do so, we should look past the sound bites that too often stifle conversation rather than foster it.

Of course, there’s room for Catholics to disagree on prudential matters like this. But there’s room for us to agree as well. We shouldn’t see ourselves as Republicans first, or as Democrats, but as Catholics. That means we shouldn’t view immigrants as an interest group to be placated or a voting bloc to be won, but as our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Immigrants bring rich cultural resources to America; it’s time to bring them out of the shadows, so that they can better integrate those gifts into the cultural mainstream. Archbishop Gomez has said that “our immigrant brothers and sisters are the key to American renewal … economic and political, but also spiritual, moral and cultural renewal.”

As the national conversation on immigration reform moves forward, let’s stand together as Catholics, doing our part to help that renewal take root.

Kim Daniels is director of Catholic Voices USA. Follow her on Twitter at @KDaniels8.

How many of these church wonks have actually lived with the consequences of illegal invasion in their personal lives ?

The pro-amnesty position of the author on illegal immigration disturbs me, especially now that she has been named to be Cardinal Dolan’s spokesperson. She’s not “staying home” taking care of her own six children, yet she talls us we are supposed to take in and take care of tens of millions of illegals and their babies ? Maybe she should begin by adopting some latino babies into her own home and staying in to care for them.

Posted by RudolfUltreya on Saturday, Mar, 2, 2013 11:56 PM (EDT):

It is disingenuous to invoke the words “We are a nation of immigrants” as to imply that the foreigner has no moral obligation to the host, while the host is negligently and falsely burdened with the guilt of being portrayed as disrespectful and beholden to the foreigner - beholden by virtue of the foreigners presence. As the American Bishops stated in a USCCB Letter, January 2011; “Catholic Church’s Position on Immigration Reform” ,,,,,, “The Catholic Catechism instructs the faithful that good government has two duties, both of which must be carried out and neither of which can be ignored. The first duty is to welcome the foreigner out of charity and respect for the human person. Persons have the right to immigrate and thus government must accommodate this right to the greatest extent possible, especially financially blessed nations: “The more prosperous nations are obliged, to the extent they are able, to welcome the foreigner in search of the security and the means of livelihood which he cannot find in his country of origin. Public authorities should see to it that the natural right is respected that places a guest under the protection of those who receive him.” (Catholic Catechism, 2241) ....The second duty is to secure one’s border and enforce the law for the sake of the common good. Sovereign nations have the right to enforce their laws and all persons must respect the legitimate exercise of this right: “Political authorities, for the sake of the common good for which they are responsible may make the exercise of the right to immigrate subject to various juridical conditions, especially with regard to the immigrants’ duties toward their country of adoption. Immigrants are obliged to respect with gratitude the material and spiritual heritage of the country that receives them, to obey its laws and to assist in carrying civic burdens.” Catholic Catechism, 2241.

Posted by Lizzie on Friday, Feb, 15, 2013 11:09 AM (EDT):

Obama’s administration has deported more immigrants from the United States than the last 3 presidents combined. Anyone who thinks he likes immigrants is paying too much attention to his rhetoric, and those who think he isn’t doing anything about “illegal” immigration are paying no attention to his actions. The right of human beings to travel to improve their lot is a natural right given to us by God.

Posted by Shamrock on Thursday, Feb, 14, 2013 10:22 PM (EDT):

My family came to this country as Catholics from both Ireland and Germany( Bavaria) several generations ago…legally and humbly, working there
way up in the American world. One group ( from the area of Lorainne) brought with them their own teacher and priest! They were farmers and
bought land and farmed it for generations. They did not sneak in but
were responsible to the laws. Catholics are not just Americans, but are
also Mexicans (where most of our illegals today come from) I have yet to
hear a Bishop in this country deplore the conditions of Mexico that cause
this massive immigration into our country. Yet to criticize their CATHOLIC leaders for not governing in a Christian manner. That seems to be
ignored while all the responsibility for these people seems to the Bishops to fall on the American citizenry. WHY? Yes, we have an obligation
to the poor, even of other countries, but do the immigrants not have an
obligation to obey the law? Why do only some countries have to come in
according to quotas and the law…but the Hispanics are given a free pass
mostly it would seem because in their CATHOLC country they are oppressed
and ignored. Why does not the USCCB address that problem?

Posted by Mary Ann on Thursday, Feb, 14, 2013 8:03 PM (EDT):

Kim: Thank you for articulating the need for immigration reform so well. It is a sensitive topic, and there are many heated opinions on either side. But the bottom line is that I think that we as the Church have to always see the person first, and acknowledge his dignity, and remember to treat him as we would Christ.

Posted by Ann on Thursday, Feb, 14, 2013 5:49 PM (EDT):

It is true that the immigration system needs to be fixed;however, it should go back to how it was when Ellis Island existed. My grandfather,my father, and his three brother cam over they were processed there. Someone here had to sponsor them, learn the language (although they were British citizens this was not a big problem), work and pay taxes, and then pass the test to be a citizen. If this had continued, then it solve much of our national debt because everyone who want to be a citizen had to literally work for it and speak English more than they would do in their own homes. I know that they need some help when they get here, but should have tried to be enrolled in a vocational school so that they can learn a trade while learning English/American in order to immediately understand their new home. This will help with the economy because they will be able to work sooner and the taxes from their employment wil help our national debt-no tax money/no reduction in our debt.
But let us also not kid ourselves: illegal is illegal, and that is exacly what they are. They are here without the right visa;they are enough of them to have this country without the President declaring marshall law and use the National Guard to get rid of them all. It does need to be fixed and the Church can help by helping those already here to get gren cards(legaly)and to learn English/American and a trade fast

Posted by Barbara on Thursday, Feb, 14, 2013 5:02 PM (EDT):

Like the previous comments that have been made There is NOTHING wrong with our immigration laws. They need to be ENFORCED to stop ILLEGAL immigration. YES, immigrants have built this country. LEGAL immigrants!! The MSM and so many of these articles talk about immigrants, ignoring the ILLEGAL part of the equation. I am first generation American born, ALL of my family came to this country through LEGAL channels. They had to work hard and put up with a lot to do that. They are part of the LEGAL immigrants who built this country. Stop sweeping the issue under the rug, because what crawls out from under it, isn’t pretty.

Posted by Lisa Spear on Thursday, Feb, 14, 2013 3:09 PM (EDT):

I agree with Karen Karbowski.

Posted by Doc on Thursday, Feb, 14, 2013 2:33 PM (EDT):

You trust Barrack Obama at your peril.
His version of the truth has nothing to do with the word of Jesus, only with himself.
Immigration reform? Does that mean attending to those already in line or those well qualified to come her legally or, finally, just to illegals.
What is his record so far?
He is Saul Alinsky upgraded to the national level.
One cannot ally with someone out to destroy us as Catholics and our church.
To advocate for a reform meaning going back to something that once was?
To what is it we will go back?

Posted by Blake on Thursday, Feb, 14, 2013 2:10 PM (EDT):

Good article and informative on the immigration issue. But it seems like while we’re working hard to find consensus on some issues we end up to some extent praising this President and helping pro choice Dems get elected. We ought to continue to hammer away at abortion and keep trying as long as it takes to turn this outrageous law around. We have to try and find consensus on theses topics like immagration but every article should end by keeping the heat on overturning RvW.

Posted by Judy Ellswoth on Thursday, Feb, 14, 2013 1:54 PM (EDT):

I’m pretty tired of the faith being defined in such poor ideas. The Church is part of the problem for refusing to admit that illegal is illegal regardless of the cause. This liberalism that pervades the Church and most especiaally the UCCB is part and parcel of the continued dimishment of the Church as reflected by this article. Too many Catholics leave because they find no moral compass within the Church or the parish. I wish we would disband all “Social Justice” groups and feelings in our Church until we have enough sense to realize that term has become bastardized and that true social justice comes from following a moral code and not some liberal/progressive feel good movement.

I have been saying for YEARS that we need to fix our immigration system and make it secure but streamlined in being able to GET Citizenship! We also need to have a good worker program that WORKS! They have this in countries like Japan and China where workers go back and forth as needed - LEGALLY.

I am from California originally and truely know the problem with illegals and that is what they are - Illegal! We are not facing the problem if we become politically correct and sugar coat the words for what is happening. Many of these people came here as young people lookiing for work and for a better way of life. Nothing that is new to the millions in past ages who came by ship!

The difference is that our system has become so burdensome and takes so long to get here legally that the word spreads to just jump the border and on the other side you will be taken care of. Many of these people risk their life and limb besides being taken advantage of by the transporters!

Many of these same people don’t want to be here forever. I have talked with so many I can’t tell you who either go back to Mexico yearly to see their families (obviously ones that have gotten FAKE passports and ID’s) and many of them talk about how when they retire they are going back to their home in Mexico where so many of them have their own family ranches to live on! Thus if we had a worker program that WORKED well they would most likely take this as an option.

We must do something now because we need to allow people to come here, be productive workers and pay taxes but this fix has got to also have a way to close our borders so that the stream of illegals stops.

If NOT???? Then lets get rid of the borders and let US citizens move to Mexico and Mexicans move here and welcome in all the drug cartels and terrorists and maybe then we will have a more equalized world! Equal terror and drug killings spread to BOTH countries!

Posted by Nell Bowen on Thursday, Feb, 14, 2013 12:12 PM (EDT):

“Regardless of politics, all agree that our immigration system needs fixing.”———————————————————————————————-
The only problem with our immigration system is that it needs to be ENFORCED!! “streamlining” it for LEGAL immigrants would be adequate.

“Catholics have serious differences with President Obama on fundamental issues like abortion, marriage and religious liberty. But we shouldn’t let those differences prevent us from coming together where we can.”———————————————————————————————————
Yes, great idea. The tyrant who wants to destroy the church we should come together with so we can provide him with a permanent voting bloc that will not be able to be defeated. Yes, good idea.

Stop writing articles that appeal to emotions, the evil machinations of the tyrant n chief and Bishops who want to fill the pews for cash since they were responsible for large blocs of run away catholics in their own state and are in need of money. Write from a position of reason and you will find there is absolutely no reason to have ILLEGAL immigrants given citizenship. Why do we never hear the real life sad stories of the people who have lawfully been waiting in line, paying thousands of dollars on lawyers to legally become a citizen and still waiting for years and they are being passed over for someone who BREAKS THE LAW?!? Please write a tearjerker article on the other side we never hear about.

It is the suicide of a country to even consider doing what you are talking about.

Posted by That Hat Lady on Thursday, Feb, 14, 2013 12:11 PM (EDT):

How does Obama think he can effectively implement social justice programs by restricting and persecuting the free exercise of the Catholic church’s mission?

Posted by Howard on Thursday, Feb, 14, 2013 11:20 AM (EDT):

Immigration reform. A conversation that never gets past generalities and party politics and talk about the correct terminology to use when referring to the steady stream of illegal immigrants using a successful illegal entry procedure already working for decades.
.
We do not discuss as Americans, we discuss as Democrats or Republicans or some other party. I can already imagine the opposition getting ready to fight over, “....assimilate the world’s best and brightest”.

Posted by David Dunagan on Thursday, Feb, 14, 2013 10:53 AM (EDT):

If you believe Obama wants any governance on this issue good luck. Until you can convince the low information voter that Obama isn’t a leader and wants this issue to destroy his opposition, i.e. Republicans, you will never get any decent rational reform of legal and illegal immigration.

Posted by Alicia E Hoffman on Thursday, Feb, 14, 2013 10:50 AM (EDT):

There is NOTHING in church teaching that says we HAVE to allow ILLEGAL immigrants into our country or that we shouldn’t protect our borders. After this latest “AMNESTY PROPOSAL” there are already ILLEGALS FLOODING INTO Arizona. What kind of Christian message is it if we don’t protect our own citizens in the name of misplaced and false compassion. What kind of Christian message is it when crime increases, jobs are lost, money is taken away from hard working people, and national security threats rise because of our openess to ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. Call them what they are, you are brushing over the truth to suit your sentinment. My family has many LEGAL IMMIGRANTS and there is a difference!!!

Posted by Karen Karbowski on Thursday, Feb, 14, 2013 10:32 AM (EDT):

Then as Catholics, not Republican or Democrat, the church should get out of Washington D.C. and depend upon God rather than government. I really believe that we’d get more done.

Posted by poetcomic1 on Thursday, Feb, 14, 2013 12:11 AM (EDT):

“Immigrants bring rich cultural resources to America; it’s time to bring them out of the shadows so that they can better integrate those gifts into the cultural mainstream.”

Where can I learn to talk like that? Do they have reeducation camps yet? Its the ‘voice of the future’. Cloying, fact-free, a little bit…insane. Oh, and by the way, America, your hair is on fire.

Thank you for this interesting article. I have been following this debate with interest.

I think it would be reasonable to require as a prerequisite for immigration reform, a reciprical immigration agreement with an illegal alien’s country. For example: many illegal aliens are Mexican - will Mexico afford U.S. citizens the same kind of legal protections that the U.S. will provide to Mexico’s citizens once they are within U.S. borders? That is a reciprical arrangement that I think would be correct and fair.

I am interested to learn whether the Vatican, as a country in its own right, has any immigration laws of its own? Are there restrictions on immigrants who (illegally or legally, Catholic or non-Catholic) enter the Vatican and then decide to stay there permanently?

Lastly, I think I would rather see the argument put forth that because we are Christians we should welcome everyone, rather than as Catholics we should be open to immigration reform because many of the illegal aliens are Catholic. But overall I think this kind of foundational argument for supporting immigration reform is one that may not be best for our nation. Every group will want “its” group to be provided special legal status.

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